 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
City Confidential
- A&E
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Overdramatic docuseries looks at urban crimes.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this sometimes-overdramatic documentary series focuses on murders committed in North American cities. Due to the subject matter, there's plenty of discussion of topics like violent crime, drug trafficking, and sexual abuse, and some photos and footage show bloody crime scenes. What makes this show different from other crime documentaries is that each episode also showcases the city in which the crime is committed, offering some history and other information about the community.
What's the story?
CITY CONFIDENTIAL is a documentary-style series that examines crime and its impact on communities. Each episode focuses on a particular North American city, looking at each place's unique characteristics, providing some background on its history, highlighting some of its local celebrities, and also recounting the tale of a murder committed within the city's limits. While the show follows a typical documentary format -- relying on news footage and police photos to flesh out the stories -- it also offers a local point of view about the crime and the subsequent courtroom drama. Interviews with a variety of community leaders provide an interesting perspective on the impact the crime has had on the city's residents.
Is it any good?
Because City Confidential attempts to be both entertaining and informative without damaging the reputation of the featured cities, it isn't particularly thought-provoking. And it often seems a bit contrived when the crimes are introduced as local secrets -- when, in fact, many of the cases have received national attention. As a result, the narrative is a bit overdramatic, taking away from the true tragedy that occurred when these crimes were committed.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the impact that crime has on local communities. How can a crime change the way people feel about an area, the people who live there, or how safe they feel living in that community? Families can also talk about what makes each American city unique. What's your favorite city? What about that city makes it stand out for you? Do you think your opinion would change if you heard about a violent crime taking place there?
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | A&E |
| Cast: | Paul Winfield |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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